I always like accessories that do not alter the bike (unless they are performance parts that replace something or have no other choice).
When it came time to look for a location to mount my GPS on my ZX-14 I decided to use the steering column hole. The area above it is not really used for anything and does create any conflicts.

So I put a stock of aluminum in my lathe and turned a spindle. I machined groves in the spindle to accept rubber O-rings. The O-rings make the fit snug and perfect. They also prevent metal on metal contact and offer a small degree of dampening. The stock I used had a large enough initial diameter that I was able to create a top shoulder. The shoulder prevents the spindle from sinking down, an end stop if you will. I placed a larger O-ring under this shoulder, again to prevent metal on metal contact and offer dampening. At the top of the spindle I welded a small aluminum plate, drilled to match the size of GPS mounting base. The mount is easy to install, just slide it in. It stays in place, does not move or twist.

Photo of Spindle

Photo of Spindle w/ O-rings

Photo of Spindle & GPS mount 1

Photo of Spindle & GPS mount 2

Photo on bike 1

Photo on bike 2

The GPS shown is a Garmin Quest 1. I did not intend keeping it very long as I wanted to upgrade (Garmin stopped supporting the Quest 1 & 2 and I wanted a bigger screen and touch screen). I finally bought the Garmin Zumo. I trimmed the top aluminum plate to match the new GPS mount closer and painted the top plate black.

Thanks for looking,

Spyglass

* Last updated by: spyglass on 7/3/2012 @ 1:25 PM *

Which Zumo ?

Hi Privateer,

I bought the Zumo 660. It has blue tooth, can store and play MP3s. pictures, etc. The blue tooth pairs up well with my Sena SHM-10 communication system for navigation prompts & music.

I did look at the Zumo 665 but the only difference seemed to be that the 665 included the Sat Radio feature (XFM). I do have a Sirius account, but in Canucklehead land XFM and Sirius were 2 different companies. I would have had to sign up for a XFM account and it seemed more bother than it was worth. Had it been a Sirius account I could have had the radio added as a second radio to my existing account and only paid $9 a month for it. I heard mixed reviews about the reception of the Sat Radio with the 665 (could have been the installation issues or location of the antenna, hard to say)

Spyglass

* Last updated by: spyglass on 7/3/2012 @ 3:28 PM *

You did a great job, looks like a professional mount! Another option for all of you guys that have the GoPro cameras is to modify one of the mounts to fit where your GPS "ball" would click into the "cradle", that's what I did... I just used the GoPro mount for dual purpose... even hooked up a direct wire kit that I can charge my GoPro or GPS with.

Thanks Seno, Making the mount to be dual purpose is a decent idea. I never thought of mounting a camera at this location but see that many people do so. I would love to see your mount and a video from this location. The fact that you have allowed for power / charging is awesome. When I look at most of the cams on the market they seem to have a battery life of 2.5 hrs (which seems to match the storage size of a 16Gb memory card at 1080). But for longer rides and a 32Gb card you could supply power for your camera indefinitely.

I just bought the new Drift HD 1080 camera this weekend. I am currently making several camera mounts for my bike. I will post them when they are finished (and perhaps a little test ride video from each location).

I did seriously look at the GoPro Hero 2 camera (and the Contour). GoPro is the leader in the HD sport cam game for sure. But there are just too many little pieces and add ons for me. They all add up and drive the true cost of the unit up quickly. The fact that the add ons do not all work together was the sinker. The Drift came with everything I needed right out of the box (screen, remote). I hope I made the right move. If not...... I might design a quick release mount and offer a really great high speed tumbling, bouncing, last capture video.

Spyglass

* Last updated by: spyglass on 7/3/2012 @ 5:52 PM *

There are more differences between the 660 and 665 than just XM. The 665 has slightly higher data capacity, and recalculates/detours faster due to a faster processor.

But the 660 is more than adequate, and at least you got a real motorcycle GPS instead of trying to make a cellphone do motorcycle gps duties. LOL.

Nice mount. I always mount mine higher, though, so I can see it without looking down.

That is an awesome mount spyglass!!

Thank you Privateer, I believe you are right with your facts regarding the Zumo 665. It would make sense that Garmins flag ship motorcycle GPS should have a little more polish. Like you, I can not imagine using an Ipod or non GPS device on a motorcycle for navigation.

Thanks Dericrey. If it gives any member an idea, or encourages them to use the steering column's hollow shaft, than I am happy.

If anyone is interested, I do have one spare spindle c/w O-rings (without the shoulder) that I made from a smaller diameter stock of aluminum. It has a NC 1/4"-20 thread tapped into its end. I was intending on screwing in a Ram ball with a 1/4" threaded stud. I turned a piece of black nylon stock to sit over top of the steering column nut, with the use of a stainless steel washer and the Ram ball, to act like a shoulder. The black nylon cap offered a nice finished appearance. It was my R&D model. If truth be told, with four O-rings this mount stays put and does not really need the shoulder. I will offer it for the cost of shipping /mailing to any member that would put it to good use. Otherwise it will get tossed in my R&D scrap pile and eventually be melted down in my forge for a future casting project.

Spyglass

Spyglass, I love that mount you made! I'm a CNC Machinist and i really want to make one for my zx14 Would it be possible to send me the dimensions you used? O-ring size and OD etc?

Hi MisfitZX14,

I would be happy to. I am away this weekend by will get the information to you Monday.

I just made a similar type of mount for my Drift HD video cam.

Click here to see it

Cheers,

Spyglass

Hey I might be interested in the R&D spindle you made. Sent you a pm.

Nice work! I love homebrew.

Basic drawing of the spindle w/ measurements as requested

Photo of the first spindle I made (side view) To be mailed to Caroobs

Photo of the first spindle I made (top view)

I also have a (R&D) spare mount that I made for my frame sliders if anyone wants it (I can turn it down if it needs to be smaller for someone's application - could easily be turned into another steering colum spindle with 3 passes on the lathe.

It has a shaft OD 0.838
Knurled OD 1.05
Overall length 2.723
3/8" threaded hole in end
Uses an R12 (568115) O-ring OD 7/8, ID 11/16

Spyglass

I would be interested in buying a new spindle/plate setup. Are you willing to make them for sale?

I don't know exactly what GPS I plan to use but I can always have my local machine shop drill the top plate to match the mount.

Do you take the mount off the bike when you park or is it in there pretty solid?

Thanks!

Hey Xyzzy,

I could figure out a price to make you a spindle if you like. I will send you a PM. As far as mounting a device, I could either weld on an aluminum plate that is slightly on the large size and you can cut it down to suit. I would just need to know how high above the column nut you want the spindle to extend, and the angle you want the plate installed at (the steering column is on a slight angle, but adding about 5 deg seems to be a little better). Or I can thread the end of the spindle and you could screw in a Ram ball (it is a rubber ball that has a 1/4" or 3/8" threaded stud). Then you simply select the Ram device holder that matches your device, a short double socket arm, and you are finished. The Ram option gives great flexibility, angle adjustment, and versatility. I could ship the plate separate and you could work out the angle and have a local fab shop or buddy weld in on (most fab shops here do that kind of thing for a bottle, case of beer, etc).

I leave the spindle and my GPS mount on the bike all the time (just pop off my GPS unit). My new unit ZUMO comes with a nice plastic cap that snaps in place when the GPS is removed, protecting the connections, and leaving a nice appearance.

Spyglass

spyglass do not give away your ideas and work make a handful of them and sale them

Madskillz I hear what you are saying, but sometimes being helpful feels better than a pocket full of cash.
I figure some people like projects and working on their bikes. This type of project requires certain tools that not everyone will have access to. If I had to charge for them they would be over $100 each. Someone with an automated CNC machine could spit them out fast enough to bring the cost way down.

Thanks for looking,

Spyglass

Madskillz I hear what you are saying, but sometimes being helpful feels better than a pocket full of cash.

I'll buy one - if you ever decide to sell them!!!! Great work!

Techmount in Oakland, Fl has been making a nice stem mount for a while, I have one, it has a nice hex screw to pivot the mount plate to suit your viewing angle. About 80.00 complete. The plate is factory pre-drilled to accept the Zumo mounts and I have the 550 on my C-14 and my zx14r so simply moving the zumo back and forth to each bike is very easy to do.

Looks almost exactly like the pic herein....check out Techmount.com colors are available too I think.

Ninja